Is there a free or low cost way to get birth control online?

Yes, there are several free or low-cost ways to get birth control online, depending on whether you have insurance and whether you need a prescription.

1. Over-the-Counter Option: Opill (No Prescription Needed)

The easiest and most affordable option without insurance is Opill, the first FDA-approved over-the-counter (OTC) daily birth control pill [4][6].

• Cost: Typically $15–$20 per month (prices vary by retailer and pack size) [6].
• Where to buy: Available online directly at Opill.com, as well as on Amazon, Walmart, Target, CVS, and Walgreens without a doctor's visit [6].
• Insurance: Some plans (e.g., CVS Caremark) cover Opill for $0 out-of-pocket, even without a prescription [6].

2. Low-Cost Online Prescription Services (No Insurance)

If you need combination pills, the patch, ring, or shot, these telehealth services offer low fees without insurance:

• Favor (formerly The Pill Club): Birth control starts at $12/month with a required membership subscription ($14.99/month) [1].
• Choix: Pills start at $6.99/pack for a one-year supply or $10.66 for 90 days; no membership required [1].
• Blink Health: Consultation is free; pills start at $6.99/pack (1-year supply) [1].
• Alpha Medical: Pills cost $25/month (or $45 quarterly) with a $9.95 monthly membership for free shipping [1].
• GoodRx Care: Consultation is free (or $15 without insurance); prescriptions may be cheaper with GoodRx Gold membership ($9.99/month) [1].
• Nurx: Consultation is $28 (covers messaging for a year); pills can be very low-cost with insurance, but without it, prices vary by plan [2].
• Walgreens Virtual Care: Consultation is $33; you pay separately for the medication (can use coupons or insurance) [3].

3. Free Options (With Insurance)

Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans must cover prescription birth control with a $0 copay [4].

• Nurx, Favor, Blink Health, and others offer birth control for $0 if your insurance covers the specific medication and the telehealth visit (though some services like Nurx do not submit the consultation fee to insurance, often charging $28 out-of-pocket) [2][1].
• Check your insurance provider's "formulary" to see which pills are covered for free.

4. Free Clinics & Community Programs

If you don't have insurance and need lower-cost options beyond OTC pills:

• Planned Parenthood Direct: Offers birth control by mail; likely low-cost or free depending on income/id [9].
• Free Clinics: Visit a local free clinic (like Planned Parenthood) for potentially free or low-cost prescriptions and counseling [4].

Recommendation:

• If you want the cheapest, no-hassle option without insurance: Buy Opill on Amazon or Opill.com (approx. $15/month) [6].
• If you need combination pills or other methods: Try Choix or Blink Health for the lowest upfront prescription costs ($6.99–$10.66/pack) [1].
• If you have insurance: Use Nurx, Favor, or your local pharmacy app to get pills for $0, but verify if the consultation fee is covered [2][1].